Method and means for producing abrading rolls for use on abrading or polishing machines



Aug. 10, 1937. E. E. PRICE 2,089,707

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING ABRADING ROLLS FOR USE ON ABRADING OR POLISHING MACHINES ,www

ATTORNEYS Aug. 10, 1937. E E, PRlCE 2,089,707

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING ABRADING RoLLs.FoR USE ON ABRADING 0R POLISHING MACHINES Filed July l, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Y EAR E. FFrlc Syl-'73M Mw ATTORNEYS Aug. l0', 1937. E. E. PRlcE 2,089,707

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING ABRADING ROLLS FOR USE ON ABRADING OR POLISHING MACHINES Filed July 1, 1955 4 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR EAP?!- E. PFI E ATTORNEYS Aug. 10, 1937.

PRICE 2,089,707

E. E. METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING ABRADING ROLLS FOR USE ON ABRADING OR POLISHIN-G MACHINES Filed July l, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 1o, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND ABRADING ROLLS MEANS FOR. PRODUCING FOR USE ON ABEAD- ING OR POLISHING MACHINES Application July 1, 1935, Serial No. 29,305

22 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for producing abrading rolls, composed'of steel Wool or functionally equivalent material, wound on a suitable base, and to a method of winding such rolls to produce a roll which will not cause streaking of the surface upon which it is used.

One of the problems in' the art of making abrasive rollers by the use of steel wool has herel0 tofore been to so wind the abrasive material as to prevent what is known as streaking of a floor or other uneven surface being cleaned or abraded by the roll. I have found. that this streaking is due to uneven winding, or to such close packing of the material, during formation of the roll, that various parts thereof cannot yield conformably to inequalities in the surface being abraded or polished.

I have found that streaking is largely overcome if a softer more yieldable core layer is initially formed or, provided, and if a more unyieldable layer or cylinder of abrasive material is superposed upon this softer cushioning layer. In this way,` an inner cushion is provided which allows the various areas of the more hardly packed material to move inwardly and accommodate themselves to the non-coplanar or upstanding inequalities in the surface being abraded or cleaned.

Although the winding material often used is what may be termed a ribbon, and although this ribbon is applied in formation of the product by spirally winding it back and forth on a suitable drum, the present machine is also capable of properly winding a broad sheet of material on the roll something in the manner of toweling on a towel roll, as distinguished from the winding of a narrow ribbon on the long roll and the overlapping spiral arrangement of the margins of this ribbon with the margin of the ribbon already wound. A cushion core, as herein contemplated, in combination with a surrounding harder cylinder-of material is useful for either form of winding.

Features of the invention include: all details of construction of the machine; combinations and sub-combinations of the parts; the method of manipulating the elements of the machine during winding to obtain a, product which, when in use, overcomes streaking; and to all broader ideas of means inherent in the disclosure.v

Objects, features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the descriptionv of the drawings forming a. part of this application, and in said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation with the treading 55 rolls retracted to inoperative position, and with (Cl. IL10-92.2)

the treading roll frame latched in inoperative position, and showing in dot-and-dash lines the operative position of the treading rolls, frame and associated control parts;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 1, partly in section;

Figure 3 is a transverse section, taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional-elevation taken approximately on line 3 4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional-elevation taken on line 5 5 of Figure 2, illustrating the controlling means for the pressure-adjustable flattening and guide rolls;

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2, illustrating the pressure-adjusting means for the flattening rolls;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary elevation of the flattening rolls viewed from the right-hand side of Figure 3; Y

Figure 8 is a plan section taken on line 8--8 of Figure 1, illustrating the pivotal relation of the lower ends of the side bars of the roller carrying frame, and part of the treadle bar; and

Figure 9 is a perspective View of the improved 11 spool shell.

In the drawings, numeral l generally designates a suitable supporting framework or frame. On top of the frame is mounted a hollow spindle 2 which is journaled in a manner to have its outer' connected with suitable reducing gearing, not

shown, but contained in casing 8. The gearing is, in turn, connected with a shaft of a motor 9. The motor is controlled, see Figure 1, by a rheostat-operating construction generally indicated at ID (not claimed herein) and this is controlled by bar I l connected with arm l2 of horizontal shaft I3. Shaft I3 has a treadle I4 and a spring l5 normally moves the rheostat to motor-ofi` position.

The hollow spindle is open at its outer end, which end is reduced as at 20 and has threads 2| cooperating with threads 22 of a disk 23, which disk forms an auxiliary head cooperative with one of the heads 25 of a spool shell generally i box 29, pivotally mounted on a swinging support or arm 3|), pivoted on a vertical stub shaft 3| suitably held as by bracket 33 at the side of frame I. The shaft 23 is provided with a hand Wheel 35 and the threads 2|, 22 cooperate to move the disk to operative position against the flange 25 of the spool shell 26 when the disk is temporarily held against rotation by means of the wheel 35, while the spindle is rotated in Y winding direction. When winding is completed, 'the Wheel is operated to unscrew the head, and the head is swung outwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, to allow removal of the completed abrading roll.

Oscillation of the journal box 28 of shaft 28 is limited by a screw 25a threaded in upright portion 29b of the frame 38.

Referring to Figure 9: The shell 25, in addition to the head-forming flanges 25, has on its outer surface means cooperable with the initially presented end of the material being wound -to entrain the same in winding direction. In this instance, this means consists of a plurality of portions 4i) each formed by punching out the '.metal, and each providing rough ngers. The shell is also provided with a plurality of cir- .cumscribing outwardly projecting elements 4|. The elements 46 project a greater distance outwardly beyond the surface of the shell than the elements 4|. The elements 4| together with the .-head flanges y25 prevent axial movement of the 4wound material.

A -feature'of this invention is the means for releasably but non-rotatably connecting the shell tothe spindle, and a feature is the use of the diametrically opposed slots @Ei extending axially inwardly fromv'one end of lthe spindle for a .distance equaltoabout one-half the length of 'the'spindle This feature is related to the use of the machine for winding shells of different axial length, and to the non-rotative connection of these shells by a cross bar traversing the slots. The cross bar 42 is arranged diametrically and is secured by means including annular enlargejments on the bar arranged at the inner side of the shell. Each enlargement i3 is of a diameter only slight1y=less than the width of the slot. 'Ihe Vslots areelongated to receive the bars of shells :of different sizes.

The inner end of the spindle is also provided withA screw threads-lll, which extend a substantial distance lengthwise. A head |38 has threads cooperating with the threads dl, whereby this head may be adjusted lengthwise of the spindle to be pressed against the flange 25 of a shorter shell. A suitable set screw i9 secures the disk in any adjusted position.

' An important feature of the invention relates to fmea'ns for applying pressure against the materialr being woundto properly and evenly pack it, as winding proceeds. To this end there is Iprovided a frame including side elements 50 piv- .oted, see Figures 1 and 8, at their lower ends to 'la crossfshaftl of the frame l. Lateral motions of the frame elements 5i) are prevented by means `ofyguides 58a supported on horizontal irons 58h of the frame fl.. This frame is arranged rear- ,wardly 4of the spindle and extends upwardly and isadapted to swing toward and away from the spindle. The frame is yieldably urged toward the spindle, in this instance by-gravity-operable mea-nsincluding, see Figures 1 and 4, a rod Gil -haVinga weight-6| slidably adjustable thereon. The rod is secured by means of a suitable bracket igtoagshaft, 62 journaled in the frame. L

Secured to this shaft is an arm 6ft connected by a link 65 to a bracket or iron 66 suitably secured to the side elements 58. The weight acting through the elements just described urges the frame toward the spindle.

Means is also provided for retracting the frame and latching it in retracted position. This control means is operable from a point in front of the machine, by an operator who is manipulating the material for winding. To this end, the shaft 62 has an arm 67 connected by a link 68 to a foot treadle bar 69, pivcted on shaft 5|, see Figure 1. This bar extends forwardly and is provided with a foot-engaging portion lll. In Figure 1, the frame is shown in full lines as retracted, and the bar 69 is releasably latchingly engaged with an element ll. Unlatching is accomplished by pressing downwardly on 18, and then moving the bar 69 laterally, and nally allowing weight 6| to retract the frame and move the bar 69 upwardly to the dot-and-dash line positions shown.

An important feature is the method of packing by means of a plurality of rollers; a single row, or a plurality of rows. What is believed to be the first means by which the method can be carried out is herebelow described.

`Mounted on the frame formed in part by the bars 50 are a plurality of rows of spaced rollers, each of which is independently spring-pressed toward the shell.v Means is provided by which the spring tension can be adjusted. Referring to Figure 3, each of these rollers i9 is mounted on an arm 8|] which is swingingly mounted on a shaft 8| held by and connecting the arms 58.

The arms are spaced by suitable collars Sie, see y Figure 2, and axialvmotion `of the assembly is prevented by collars and pins Sib. Each rod 8| is releasablyl securedV lby collars and pins 8|c. 'I'here are upper and lower rows of these rollers 79. Each arm is independently spring-pressed to- Ward the shell by means of spring 82 arranged over a threaded rod 83. One end of the rod is pivotally connected as at 84 to a bracket of the arm, and the rod slidably traverses an opening in an angle iron 85, and has a nut Sii adjustable for limiting sliding movement of the arm, and therefore for limiting the degree of swing of the arm 80. The tension of the spring is adjusted by means of a nut 8l. It is noted that by removal of the shafts 8| and removal of the nuts 85, some of the arms and rollers thereon may be removed. Thus the number of rollers can be varied conformably to the axial length of the shell. The use of rollers avoids dulling of the strands and the consequent reduction in cutting or abrading eiciency of the roll. The edges of the rolls are slightly rounded and the rolls have a tucking in action on the material.

The axes of the rollers are substantially parallel withthe rotative axis of the spindle, and the rows are spaced circumferentially but are adjacently disposed, see Figure 4. The rows of one roll are so related to those of another that their circumferential areas of contact overlap. A single row can be used, or more than two rows may be employed. Two rows arranged as shown are preferred.` v

The rollers are arranged to apply pressure at a point about ninety degrees or more forwardly of the point at which the oncoming material engages the material on the spool. The arrangement of the rollers at about ninety degrees forwardly of that point appears to be most advan- 4tageous.

rection by collar |92 held by pin |03.

By use of the weight 6| pressing the frame forwardly, and by use of a spring for each roll, constant treading pressures are applied to every part of the material being wound, and for the full length of the material in an axial direction. The rolls, in any event, are so arranged as to maintain a plurality of separately applied pressures throughout. This feature in combination with the provision of a soft core layer on the shell with an over-wound harder cylinder of abrasive material, provides an article which, for its intended use, is much superior in its abrading action toany other known to me.

As previously mentioned, a feature of this invention relates to a method for producing a steel Wool abrading roll which, when in use, will not cause what is known as streaking of a floor or other uneven surface being cleaned or abraded. The method consists in initially forming on the spool shell a cushioning core, by initially winding a sufficient amount of wool on the spool shell preferably without pressure, and then applying to the material separate yielding pressures by the means of this invention, as winding continues, to produce a relatively more closely packed cylinder of material about the .cushioning core or softer layers. This produces an article which is much superior in its abrading action than any other known to me.

Another feature of the invention relates to the use of pressure guide rolls, see Figures 5, 6 and '7 also Figures 2 and 3. The lower roll 99 is suitably journaled on stub shaft 9|, which shaft is held in two arms of a bracket 92, secured to the top of frame I. The upper roll 93 is journaled on shaft 94 held in plate 95, see Figures 2 and 6, pivoted as at 99 to bracket 92.

These rolls are herein called yieldable pressure guide rolls, and are arranged in front of the spool for flattening the wool before winding. It is desirable to maintain an even thickness of the material and to vary the thickness. To control and vary the thickness, means is provided for adjusting the swinging plate 95 for the upper roll. This means is best shown in Figure 6 and comprises a vertical stem 98 rotative in swinging bracket 95 and in horizontal portion 99 of bracket 92. Stem 98 has a hand wheel II at its top and is heldagainst translative movement in one di- On the lower end of a stein is a threaded tensiomadjusting nut |95 and surrounding the shaft and under compression between the nut and the portion 99 of the bracket 92 is a spring |96. The upper roll is pressed lightly against the lower roll to obtain proper flattening and winding drag on the material, and this drag is further varied by a bar herebelow described.

In order to raise the roll 94.4 against the action of the spring |95, a cam is provided, see Figure 5. The cam is indicated at IIB and is secured on a collar I II swingable on shaft 9|, the collar being held against axial movement by collar 2 suitably pinned to the shaft. An operating handle |I4 is provided for the cam, and the cam has an upwardly directed portion I I5 acting as a stop engaging the shaft 94 to limit the forward movement. When the handle is moved in direction of the arrow, the roll 93 is raised against theaction of spring |96 so that the material can be introduced between the rolls 93.

Another feature of the invention is the arrangement of the bar III in front of the rolls to provide means against which the wool can be dragged before entering the rolls. The purpose -is held in the operators hand to enable him to move the material in a direction axially of the bar and rolls to obtain, in case a ribbon of material is used, an overlapping spiral winding of the material on the shell.

In the operation, the roll or steel wool which is to be transferred to the spool shell is suitably mounted and a portion of the material is pulled forwardly and passed between the rolls which are at this time separated. The forward end is then laid on the shell and rotation of the shell is started by hand. The elements on the outer surface of the shell cooperate with the initially presented end of the material to entrain the same in winding direction. The proper number of turns is made to provide the soft cushioning core, and then the roll 93 is lowered to operative position. The rollers are now brought to operative position, and power is applied and winding is continued, to surround the soft core by a harder cylinder of material. Due to varying thickness of the material being wound, it is necessary to pull the material against the drag bar.

I claim as my invention:

l. A machine for winding steel wool or other suitable material comprising a driven spindle, said spindle having non-rotatably and removably secured thereon a spool shell, disks on said spindle forming auxiliary heads for said spool, means removably securing one of said disks, plural rows of spaced rollers each independently yieldably spring-pressed toward the shell, means by which all rollers can be simultaneously moved to operative or non-operative position relatively to material being wound, the axes of the rollers being substantially parallel with the rotative axis of the spindle, said rows being spaced circumferentially but being adjacently disposed, the rollers of one row being offset relatively to the rollers of another row so that the areas of contact of the rollers of one row overlap those of another, whereby a plurality of treading pressures are applied to the material.

2. A machine for winding steel wool or other suitable material comprising, a driven spindle, said spindle having non-rotatably and removably secured thereon a spool shell, disks on said spindle forming auxiliary heads for the spool, means removably securing one of said disks, plural rows of spaced rollers independently spring-pressed toward the shell, means by which the rollers can be adjusted toward and away from and pressed against material being wound on the shell, the axes of the rollers being substantially parallel with the rotative axis of the spindle, said rows of rollers being spaced circumferentially but being adjacently disposed and the rollers of one row being so related to those of another that their circumferential areas of contact overlap.

3. A machine for winding steel wool or other suitable material comprising, a driven spindle, so rotatably mounted as to permit the introduction thereonto or removal therefrom of a spool shell, said spindle having non-rotatably and removably secured thereon a spoolshelL-disks on said spindle forming auxiliary heads for the spool, means removably securing one 'of said disks, a frame adapted to swing toward and away from the shell, a row of spaced rollers, means for each roller attaching it to the frame and yieldably urging it toward the shell, the axesl of the rollers being substantially parallel with the rotative axis of the spindle, and yieldable means acting on the frame to forcibly move it to cause the rollers to maintain a yielding pressure contact with the material being wound.

4. A machine for winding steel wool or other suitable material, comprising a driven spindle 15 having a first spool-head disk at its inner end,

means journaling the spindle at said inner end only, thus leaving the outer end free, a second spool-head disk, said disk and free end of the spindle having screw threads cooperating-to operably secure the disk to the spindle, said spindle having non-rotatably secured thereon a removable spool shell for which the disks form auxiliary heads, a frame adapted to swing toward and away from the spindle, plural rows of spaced rollers, means for each roller detachably securing it to the frame, and yieldably urging it toward the shell, the axes of the rollers being parallel with the rotative axis of the spindle, and yieldable means acting on the frame to forcibly move it to cause the rollers to maintain a yielding pressure contact with the material being wound.

5. A machine for winding steel wool or other suitable material comprising, a driven spindle having a first spool-head disk at the inner end, means journaling the spindle at said inner end only, thus leaving the outer' end freea swingable support having a journal box pivoted thereto, a second spool-head disk journaled in said box, the free end of said spindle having screw threads operably securing the disk to; the spindle, said spindle having non-rotatably and removably secured thereon a spool shell for winch said disks form heads, a frame adapted to swing toward and away from the spindle, plural rows of spaced rollers, separate means for each roller attaching it to the frame and yieldably urging it toward the shell, the axes of the ro-lls of each row bein r aligned and the axes of one row being l parallel with the axes of the other and with the rotative axis of the spindle, said rows of rolls beingadjaeently disposed and the rollers of one row being so related to the rollers of another that their circumferential areas of Contact with the material being wound overlap, and yieldable means acting on the frame to forcibly move it to cause the rolls to maintain a yielding pressure contact with the material on the shell.

6. A machin-e for winding steel woolor other suitable material comprising, a driven spindle 6o having a rst spool-head diskat its inner end,

means journaling the spindle at said inner end only, thus leaving the outer end free, a swingable support having a journal box pivoted thereto, a second spool-head disk having a shaft jour- 65 naled in said box, a hand wheel for said shaft,

said disk and free end of the spindle having screw threads cooperating to operably secure the disk to the spindle, said threads being adapted, when the disk is temporarily held against rota- 70 tion, to cause said disk to be moved to operative position as a result of rotation of the spindle in winding direction, said spindle having removably and non-rotatably secured thereon a spool shell for which the disks form heads, a

75 frame adapted to swing toward and away from the spindle, plural rows of spaced swingingly mounted arms on the frame, each arm having a roller, the axes 'of the rollers being substantially parallel with the rotative axis of the spindle, said rows of rollers being adjacently disposed but spaced circumferentially yieldable means for each arm forcing it toward the shell, and yieldable means acting on the frame to cause the rollers to maintain a yielding pressure contact with the material being wound.

7. A machine for winding steel wool or other suitable material comprising la. driven spindle having a first spool-head disk at the inner end, means journaling the spindle at said inner end only, thus leaving the outer end free, a secondv spool-head disk having screw threads cooperating to operably secure the disk to the spindle, said spindle having non-rot'atablyvsecured thereon a removable spool shell for which said disks act as heads, a frame at the rear side of the spindle adapted to swing toward and away therefrom, plural rows of spaced swingingly mounted arms on the frame, each arm having a roller, the axes of the rollers of each row being aligned and the axis of one row being parallel with the other and with the rotative axis of the spindle, said rows of rolls being adjacently disposed, y-ieldable means for each arm forcing it toward the spindle, yieldab-le means acting on the frame to forcibly move it to cause the rollers to maintain a yielding pressure Contact with the material being wound, and means by which the frame can be retracted and latched in retracted position, said means adapted to be controllable by an operator while controlling the feeding material to the spool.

8. A machine for winding steel wool or other suitable material, comprising, a driven spindle having spool-head disks, a winding spool shell held non-rotatably on the spindle between thek disks, a frame adapted to swing forwardly and away from the spindle, plural rows of swingingly mounted arms on the frame, each arm having a roll, the axes of the rolls of each row being aligned, and being parallel with the rotative axisof the spindle, said rows of rolls being adjacently disposed and being adapted to engage the material being wound at a point ninety degrees or more forwardly of the point at which the oncoming material engages the material ontheIy spool, yieldable means for each arm forcing it tow-ard the spindle, and yieldable means acting on the frame to forcibly move it to cause the rolls to maintain a yielding pressure contact with the material on the spool.

9. A machine for winding steel wool or other suitable material, comprising a driven spindle having a first spool head disk fixed at the inner end, means journaling the spindle at the inner end only thus leaving the outer end free, a second spool head disk for the free end of the spindle and means detachably securing said disk to said spindle, a shell spool held non-rotatably on the spindle for which the disks form heads, a frame adapted to swing forwardly and away from the spindle, plural rows of swingingly mounted arms on the frame, each arm having a roll, the axes ofthe rolls of each row being aligned and being parallel with the rotative axis of the spindle, said rows of rolls being adjacently disposed and being adapted to engage the material being wound at a point about ninety degrees or more forwardly of the point at which the oncoming material engages the material on thespool, yieldable means for each arm forcing it toward the spindle, and yieldable means acting on the frame to forcibly move it lto cause the rolls to maintain a yielding pressure contact with the material .on the spool.

10; A device forlwinding steel Wool or other suitable material comprising, a driven spindle, a spool shell slidably fitting the spindle and means for preventing rotation of the shellf on the spindle, said spindle having disks secured thereto for cooperation with the ends of the spool shell heads to form auxiliary heads which are of substanl tially greater diameter than said spool shell heads, one of the disks being detachably secured, and said shell having its outer surface provided l5 with means cooperable with the initially presented end of the material being Wound to entrain the same in winding direction.

11. A device for winding steel wool or other suitable material comprising, a driven spindle, a spool shell slidably fitting the spindle and means for' preventing rotation of the shell on the spindle,

said spindle having disks secured thereto and forming auxiliary heads for the spool shell which auxiliary heads are of substantially greater diameter than said spool shell heads, one of the disks being detachably secured, and said shell having its outer surface provided with means cooperable with the initially presented end of the material being Wound to entrain the same in winding direction, and said shell having a plurality of circumferential outwardly projecting elements spaced lengthwise of the shell, the said entraining means projecting a greater distance outwardly beyond the surface of the shell than said circumferential projecting elements.

12. A device for winding steel Wool or other suitable material comprising, a driven spindle, said spindle having a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending axially inward from one end for a distance equal to about one-half the length of the spindle, a spool shell slidably fitting the spindle and having secured thereto a cross bar which bar is disposed in said slots to prevent rotation of the shell on the spindle, said spindle 45 having disks secured thereto and forming auxiliary heads for the spool shell which heads are of substantially greater diameter than said spool shell heads, one of the disks being detachably secured.

50 13. A device for Winding steel wool or other suitable material comprising, a driven spindle, a spool shell slidably fitting the spindle, disks secured to the spindle and forming auxiliary heads for the heads of the spool shell, said shell having 55 its outer surface provided with means cooperable with the initially presented end of the material being wound to entrain the same in Winding direction.

14. A device for winding steel Wool or other 60 suitable material comprising a driven spindle,

said spindle having a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending axially inward from one end, a spool shell slidably fitting the spindle, and having means detachably engaged with the slots 65 to non-rotatably secure the spool to the spindle, said shell having its outer surface provided with means cooperable with the initially presented end of the material being wound to entrain the same in winding direction and said shell having a plu- 70 rality of circumferential outwardly projecting elements spaced lengthwise of the shell, the said entraining means projecting a greater distance outwardly beyond the surface of the shell than said circumferential projecting elements.

75 15. A machine for winding steel Wool or other suitable material comprising, a driven spindle, a spool shell detachably secured to said spindle and upon which the material is to be wound, a pair of pressure guide rolls arranged in front of the spindle for flattening the wool before winding, means by which one of the rolls is yieldably pressed toward the other, and a friction bar ar-r ranged in front of the rolls against which the wool can be dragged before entering the rolls.

16. A machine for Winding steel wool or the like comprising a driven spindle adapted to have a spool shell non-rotatably secured thereto, a pair of yieldable pressure guide rolls arranged in front of the spool for flattening the Wool before winding on the shell, a bar arranged in front of the rolls against which the wool can be dragged before entering the rolls, plural rows of spaced rollers and a separate means for each roller for yieldably urging it toward the spindle, a support upon which the rollers are mounted, said support being movable to simultaneously withdraw or advance all rollers, the rollers of one row being so related to another that their areas of contact overlap.

17. A method for winding steel wool on a spool shell to produce an abrading element for use on abrading machines which consists in initially winding the wool on the shell to produce a cushioning core, and then applying such pressure to the material as winding continues to produce a Vrelatively more closely packed cylinder of material about said cushioning core, and applying such pressure without destroying the cushioning condition of the core.

18. A method for winding steel Wool on a spool shell to produce an abrading element for use on abrading machines which consists in initially winding the wool on the shell, to produce a cushioning core, and then applying yielding pressure to the material as winding continues to produce a relatively more closely packed cylinder of material about the cushioning core, and applying such pressure without destroying the cushioning condition of the core.

19. A method for winding steel wool on a spool shell to produce an abrading element for use on abrading machines which consists in initially winding a plurality of layers of the wool on the spool shell to produce a cushioning core, and then applying pressure to the material as winding continues, by using a plurality of independently yieldable pressure rollers so arranged that their areas of contact overlap, and completing the Winding to produce a relatively more closely packed cylinder of material about the soft core, and applying such pressure without destroying the cushioning condition of the core.

20. A method for winding steel Wool on a spool shell to produce an abrading element for use on abrading machines which consists, in initially Winding a plurality of layers of the wool on the shell to produce a cushioning core and then applying pressure to the material as winding continues, using a plurality of rows of independently yieldable pressure rollers so arranged that their areas of contact overlap to evenly and continuously apply pressure to provide a relatively more closely packed cylinder of material about the soft core, and applying such pressure Without destroying the cushioning condition of the core.

21. A device for producing a steel wool abrading element attachable to the spindle of an abrading machine, comprising a driven spindle, a thin sheet metal one-piece spool shell having shallow heads, means by which the shell is de-. tachably held on the spindle, disks secured to the spindle and forming deep auxiliary heads for the heads of the spool Shell, one of said disks being detachable to allow removal of the shell,.

the metal of said shell being punched outwardly to provide means cooperable with the initially presented end of the material being wound to entrain the same in Winding direction.

22. A method for producing a steel Wool abrading element which will not cause streaking of 

